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The Chrysalids

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The Chrysalids

By: John Wyndham
Narrated by: Noah Reid
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David Strorm's father doesn't approve of Angus Morton's unusually large horses, calling them blasphemies against nature. Little does he realise that his own son, his niece Rosalind and their friends have their own secret aberration that would label them as mutants. But as David and Rosalind grow older it becomes more difficult to conceal their differences from the village elders. Soon they face a choice: wait for eventual discovery or flee to the terrifying and mutable Badland....

About the author: John Wyndham Parkes Lucas Benyon Harris was born in 1903, the son of a barrister. He tried a number of careers, including farming, law, commercial art and advertising, and started writing short stories, intended for sale, in 1925. From 1930 to 1939 he wrote stories of various kinds under different names, almost exclusively for American publications, while also writing detective novels. During the war he was in the Civil Service and then the Army. In 1946 he went back to writing stories for publication in the USA and decided to try a modified form of science fiction, a form he called 'logical fantasy'.

©1955 John Wyndham (P)2021 Audible, Ltd Classics Dystopian Fiction Genetic Engineering Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction Scary
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Loved listening to The Chryslids. Despite being written in the 50’s this is a timely allegory of a world that is all too familiar. Where differences are feared and reviled by the narrow minded. The humanity in the lead characters burst through as did the fear, anger and hatred of the antagonists. The story is beautifully performed by Noah Reid. His warm and gentle narration nurtures the listener through some very tense and sometimes upsetting content. I was gripped throughout. Thoroughly recommend.

Enthralling Tale of Celebrating Difference

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Although this book was published nearly 70 years ago, it stands up really well and is quite remarkable. It's story is in the far future after an apparent nuclear war and its consequences, possibly John Wyndham was considering the potentials of the cold war that was threatening the world in those post WWII years. Very plausible forward thinking and not beyond our current potential future even now, though by different causes. I discovered this author in high school and his work provoked my love of sci fi; to be able to imagine a future and then communicate that in fantastic detail in book or film form is a wonderful skill. The narrator, Noah Reid, who I haven't heard before, gave a brilliant performance which added to my enjoyment. Very highly recommended. I'm off to listen to another John Wyndham book!

Timeless

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One of the chilling aspects of much of John Wyndham's books are their timelessness.

This book in particular is a reminder of how close we are to the brink, and that fundamentalists, of any stripe, can seize power at any moment. This is a tale not just of science fiction but an allegory of how those who are outsiders, who are marginalized can be turned into the other, the scapegoat, the infidel.

In itself it is an excellent story, entertaining in its own right, but also a tale of morality and a parable. Highly recommended.

Excellent - still relevant today

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I've read this book many times since Doing my chest English lit and other John Wyndham books

Timeless read

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what an interesting story! I can't believe it was published in the 1950s, it's very modern and unique. the narration is brilliant and I'm amazed that it's not more well known. it would also make an amazing film! I'd definitely read more books by this author. thank you audible!

why is this book not more well known!

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